“Every creative art brings you to your innermost being where there is just calmness, utter quietness, absolute silence.” – Osho
A couple years ago, I watched a fantastic documentary on the science of happiness (Happy). The film discusses how the happiest people in the world have three things in common, including the ability to lose themselves in “flow,” or what athletes might call “the zone.”
Loosely defined, flow is being immersed in an activity. All your attention is directed to the task at hand — meditation in action. The documentary lists painting, rock climbing, and playing an instrument as a few activities through which people achieve flow.
I’ve been losing myself in music, both as a listener and a musician, for as long as I can remember, but for the past nine years, I’ve only had sporadic access to a piano. And whenever I play, I’m reminded of how necessary losing myself in music is for my sanity, my clarity. This year for Christmas, my parents surprised me with a guitar. It was, without exaggeration, the most excited I’ve been on Christmas morning since Barbies were on my list (and no, that wasn’t last year). I jumped up and down and screamed like a five-year-old.
Immersing myself in learning the guitar has inspired creativity in other aspects of my life, and when I feel stress starting to mount, I take a break to play, and soon enough I have a huge smile on my face.
I’m inspired by my many of my friends, who find flow through painting, photography, making jewellery, writing stories and poems, and pushing themselves in hardcore workout regimens.
The new year is in fully swing. What do you want to lose yourself in? What hidden passion can you explore?
Namaste 🙂
Rachel
Freelancing to Freedom 
What kind of guitar?
By: CSDFITNESS on January 15, 2014
at 3:08 pm
It’s a Yamaha acoustic.
By: faultlessfinish on January 17, 2014
at 6:29 pm
I know that feeling and its beautiful
By: Peter Wells aka Countingducks on January 15, 2014
at 5:59 pm
It really is!
By: faultlessfinish on January 17, 2014
at 6:29 pm
There is actually a whole book about it. It’s called flow: the science of optimal experience. It’s is a really good read that I recommend to everyone.
By: quantumleapyourmusic on January 15, 2014
at 6:36 pm
Oh awesome! Thanks for the recommendation, Chris.
By: faultlessfinish on January 17, 2014
at 6:31 pm
I do lose myself listening to music, but don’t play any instruments. Reading as well, but do write. I walk alone and the cadence the climb and the revelation when turn round or come upon a view, that one does it for me. Sometimes when walking in a group, or with others, I find myself getting grumpy or isolated when the rhythm is not right. Or when I can’t stop and stare, I hate it when people are in a hurry sometimes. 🙂
Jim
By: redjim99 on January 15, 2014
at 9:20 pm
I’m the same way, Jim. Walking is such a wonderful meditation when not rushed.
By: faultlessfinish on January 17, 2014
at 6:33 pm
Awesome, Rach!! Happy Strumming!!
By: Bailey on January 16, 2014
at 1:43 am
Thanks Bails! 🙂
By: faultlessfinish on January 17, 2014
at 6:33 pm
If you lived close we could totally trade guitar lessons for book editing 😉
By: Jeremy Cole Crook on January 25, 2014
at 9:03 pm
Too bad!! That would be so great 🙂
By: faultlessfinish on January 25, 2014
at 9:14 pm